Talk of an Amir Khan-Floyd Mayweather Jr. fight this time a year ago made little sense.
While talented and very popular in his native England, a past-his-prime Julio Diaz nearly knocked out Khan in Khan?s previous fight. And two bouts before he struggled to defeat Diaz, Danny Garcia knocked out Khan in the fourth round of their junior welterweight title fight.
Garcia and Marcos Maidana deserved a shot at Mayweather more than Khan, who campaigned relentlessly for what would be the biggest fight of his career.
The unbeaten Garcia was coming off a huge win against Argentine knockout artist Lucas Matthysse (36-3, 34 KOs, 1 NC). Maidana lost a close fight to Khan in December 2010, but the heavy-handed Argentine brawler had just upset then-welterweight champion Adrien Broner (29-1, 22 KOs) by unanimous decision in San Antonio.
Thankfully, Khan didn?t receive an unwarranted opportunity to challenge Mayweather, who instead beat Maidana (35-5, 31 KOs) on May 3 and again Sept. 13.
Since then, though, a rejuvenated Khan has re-established himself as a legitimate option for Mayweather (47-0, 26 KOs). Assuming Mayweather doesn?t fight Manny Pacquiao on May 2 ? and there?s no real reason to believe Mayweather-Pacquiao will happen next ? Khan has at least earned a chance to knock off boxing?s pound-for-pound king.
Khan recorded two impressive welterweight wins this year ? both against former champions.
Khan (30-3, 19 KOs) battered New York-based southpaw Luis Collazo (35-6, 18 KOs) for 12 rounds on his way to scoring three knockdowns and a lopsided points win on the Mayweather-Maidana undercard May 3 in Las Vegas. Then Khan dominated Devon Alexander (26-3, 14 KOs), another southpaw from St. Louis, in their 12-rounder Saturday night in Las Vegas.
In both bouts, Khan, 28, displayed defensive improvements new trainer Virgil Hunter has taught him, in addition to the diverse set of offensive skills that make Khan fun to watch.
There is a growing group of fight fans who believe Khan?s hand speed, athleticism and ability to rip off power punches in combination would trouble Mayweather.
Mayweather will turn 38 on Feb. 24 and he has appeared in recent fights to be a more stationary target than earlier in his Hall of Fame career. He?d still be a clear favorite over Khan, whose chin is questionable, or anyone he fights next.
But if Mayweather picks Khan, at least Khan has now earned the opportunity.
